How to Write a Video Script That Engages (+ Free Template)

Ever hit “record” only to find yourself stumbling through your words, unsure of what to say next? 

Here’s the secret: the magic doesn’t happen when the camera starts rolling—it happens in the scriptwriting phase. That’s where your story comes to life, your messaging becomes clear, and your video truly resonates to your audience.

So, whether you’re a content creator, marketer or small business owner, nailing the perfect video script can save you time and stress and give your videos the professional polish they need to stand out. And with modern scriptwriting software,  your process has never been easier.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of writing a video script that captures attention, holds it, and leaves a lasting impact. And the best part? We’ve included a free script template to help you get started right away!

Why should you write your video script before filming?

A script is a structured plan for what will be said and done in a video. It gives you a foundation upon which you can tame the ideas that are running around your head for your video content. It also helps you visualize the flow of the story you are trying to tell to your audience.

Most importantly, a well-crafted video script is the starting point of successful video production. It serves as a comprehensive blueprint, guiding every team member from the project's inception to its completion.

It provides clear direction for directors, actors, cinematographers, and video editors, ensuring a unified vision throughout the process.

A great video script writer anticipates the needs of each production phase, from pre-production planning to post-production editing. They consider practical elements like shot composition, location requirements, and potential visual effects while also focusing on narrative flow and audience engagement.

By considering the entire production journey, video scripts not only help tell a compelling story but also enhance efficiency and quality at every stage. This foresight in scriptwriting can significantly improve the final product while optimizing time and resources throughout the production process.

How to write a video script in 8 simple steps

The more you plan your script, the more likely it is to be successful. Here are 8 easy steps to help you create a compelling video script.

1. Determine the purpose of your video

Your video is going to do one of three things: educate, persuade, or entertain. Decide on one of these purposes because the script hinges on what message you want to convey and who you want to reach.

If you haven’t done it already, define your target audience based on your buyer persona. Your viewers need to shape every aspect of your video, from the dialogue spoken to the pain points addressed, the video format, and the platform it is uploaded to, be it YouTube or social media sites like TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook.

Also, decide the type of video you'll create. Every single type of video has a goal, and as a scriptwriter, you have to know what that goal is. Think about what you want your viewers to do or feel when they watch your work. Video projects should either inform or entertain the audience in some way.

• For a marketing video, your goal is to inspire your audience to take action, whether it’s clicking a link, signing up, or making a purchase through a clear call to action (CTA).
• For an explainer video, you want viewers to leave with a solid understanding of key points and takeaways that break down your subject matter in an easy-to-digest format.
• For a vlog, the focus is on building a personal connection with your audience, allowing them to relate to you on a deeper, more authentic level.
• For a tutorial video, your goal is to guide viewers step-by-step through a process, ensuring they can follow along and achieve the desired outcome on their own.
• For a testimonial video, you want to showcase real customer stories that build trust and credibility, persuading your audience through genuine feedback and experiences.
• For a product demo, you’ll want to highlight the features and benefits of your product in a clear and compelling way, helping viewers understand how it solves their pain points.

You might be tempted to try to cover as many points of information as possible. Don’t. Your video and script need to focus on achieving one goal for your audience. Too many points mean things get complicated, and messages become diluted.

To keep things clear and impactful, ask yourself:

• What are the key takeaways for my audience?
• What’s the CTA I want to emphasize?
• What pain points am I addressing for my viewers?

By keeping your purpose and audience front and center, your video content will stay focused, and your script will flow naturally toward achieving your goals. 

2. Outline your structure

An outline is a brief synopsis of a script, summarizing everything that will happen and be said in each part of a video. This outline will help you share your ideas with managers and colleagues so they can give their input more freely.

Generally, marketing video scripts, as part of video content marketing strategy, are made up of the same tried-and-tested formula. Obviously, you’re free to experiment with whichever structure you deem suitable and interesting – at your own peril. Just bear in mind that the following structure, with an introduction, a problem statement, the solution, and the end CTA, is known to work. 

At this point, your script can consist of simple notes. We’ll flesh it out later. 

3. Visualize your visuals

Your visuals are just as important as your speaker. If your video features the same person rambling on about the same thing for five minutes, it won’t knock anybody’s socks off. Visuals help break up your video and stimulate viewers' minds to continue to watch.

Visuals can be a skit, some statistics, a slideshow, a meme, animation or graphics, or even a B-roll (secondary footage that intercuts the main footage)—anything. But they should be relevant, simple, and informative rather than abstract or metaphorical. It’s important for them to complement what the speaker is saying without taking the stage away from them.

A well-timed visual adds emphasis to a key point, creates an emotional impact, or clarifies a complex idea. Switching between different types of visuals (charts, animations, real-life footage) keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.

Lastly, don’t forget about context. Visuals should be appropriate for the platform and audience. For example, videos for YouTube might lean more toward animations and longer content, while social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram may require snappier, more dynamic visuals to fit the shorter format.

4. Write your dialogue

When putting meat on the bones of your script, you need to figure out the format in which it will be performed. Your script is going to be read by one of two people: a narrator or a presenter.

If your video is all visuals with a narrator providing the voiceover, then your script can be written out in full. In this case, the narration should be clear, concise, and well-paced to complement the visuals.

For instance, explainer videos, tutorials, or product demos usually work best with this format, where the visuals do much of the heavy lifting, and the script simply clarifies key points.

If you opt for a presenter standing next to your visuals, then it’s important to know how they are going to access your script. In the absence of an expensive teleprompter, write a prompt version of your script and display it on a screen behind the camera.

It might seem counterintuitive, but the fewer words, the better. If a script is written in note form, a presenter can grasp what they need to say next and fill in the blanks when they hit record. Please don’t read word-for-word. We’re trying to make your video as natural as possible.

Also, consider pauses and transitions between points. Write in breaks where they can take a breath or emphasize important information, ensuring your delivery flows smoothly. If you're including visual cues in the script (such as “cut to product demo” or “insert graphic here”) or adding music or sound effects, these notes should be embedded clearly in the script so the presenter knows when to transition.

5. Proofread your masterpiece alone

Read your first draft. Then, read it again. Read it out loud to get a grasp of where emphasis needs to be placed; mark it in the text. Get rid of any typos or mistakes that could cause your narrator or presenter to trip up. Lose any fluff, waffle, and fuzz that are getting in the way of the message you are trying to convey. Read it non-stop in front of a mirror, and time yourself to see how long it takes. It should take no longer than five minutes.

Remember, we’re going for maximum input and minimum word count. Ask yourself: Is it good enough?

6. Conversationalize

Is that even a word? Regardless, do it. You want your presenter or narrator to be as approachable and un-robotic as possible. Hopefully, you’re not writing propaganda for a supreme leader. Instead, you’re trying to open up a two-way conversation between your brand and your viewers. Trust is the name of the game, and you’re not going to win it with big words in big sentences and industry jargon.

It’s important to remember that we are writing for a speaker, and written and spoken language are very different. The checklist below offers guidance for more conversational writing.

7. Show your colleagues

You might proofread your script a thousand times and think you’ve played an absolute blinder. Still, only two eyes have seen it. It’s time to get a second opinion. And a third, fourth, and fifth if you’re feeling brave.

If your video is good, it will be viewed by thousands of people with thousands of different opinions. It’s a good idea to get your colleagues together and test-run your script to see what they think.

Use this as a brainstorming session and take notes of any other ideas that they might have. If the team agrees an idea is good, it’s never too late to stick it in your script. Besides, it might be a laugh.

8. Record a throwaway

Your knees are weak. Your arms are heavy. It’s time for your script to go live. Standing in front of a camera for the first time, trying to make it look like you’ve done it for years, is nerve-wracking. If you’re lucky, somebody else is going to read your script for you. If you’re as unlucky as I have been, you’re the writer and the presenter.

At this point, it’s practice, practice, practice. You should have a dress rehearsal and film a quick run-through of your script on camera to see where things can be emphasized, corrected, and improved. It’s important to see how long it’s going to take in reality, and you should be aiming for 125 to 150 words per minute to be clear but concise.

For presenters, more than narrators, it’s important to know their script as intimately as possible. This doesn’t mean memorizing it word-for-word. It means they need to understand intonation, emphasis, and where particularly tricky sentences are placed so they can be ready for them. Once a throwaway has been recorded, watch the entire video back and understand any changes that need to be made before you take the final video.

If you don't have a budget for video production, don't worry. You can try out free AI video generators to create video content based on your script in the style you want. 

Free video script template with example

Here's a redacted version of a script for a YouTube video on building the perfect LinkedIn profile to give you an example of what a good script should be like.

Scroll down for the free downloadable template. 

Ready to start to script your perfect video? Download our video script template to ease your script-writing process and start working on your next video project right away.

Top 9 video script writing tips

Crafting a good video script that's engaging is more than putting words to paper. To make your message memorable, you need to strike the right balance between creativity, clarity, and structure. Here are some tips to elevate your script and make your video stand out:

1. Visualize while writing: Picture the video as you write the script to align dialogue and visuals better.
2. Use action words: Keep your script dynamic by incorporating strong, action-driven language.
3. Create a story arc: Even short videos benefit from a beginning, middle, and end structure.
4. Maintain audience engagement: Insert questions or surprising facts to keep viewers interested throughout the video.
5. Balance between information and emotion: Mix logic with an emotional appeal to create a more memorable impact.
6. Avoid jargon: Keep the language simple so it’s accessible to a wide audience.
7. Optimize for voiceover: Write differently if the script will be voiced over, using natural language and clear pauses.
8. Incorporate humor when appropriate: Humor can lighten the tone and create a more relatable script.
9. Leave room for visuals to speak: Let your visuals carry part of the message, reducing the need for long explanations.

Script your video success

No matter how much you pray for it, there’s no quality content tree from which you can pluck the ripest, quality content to broadcast to the masses. Nobody said it was easy. It takes creativity, dedication, and practice, practice, practice.

With practice and patience, you'll find your own unique voice in script writing. Whether you're creating content for education, entertainment, or marketing, these techniques will help you produce engaging video scripts that resonate with your audience and achieve your communication goals. So, pick up that pen (or keyboard), start brainstorming, and bring your video ideas to life through the power of a well-crafted script.

Once you get your show on the road, you’ll probably want to make your video look cool. Check out the top free animation software to elevate your on-screen masterpiece.

This article was originally published in 2020 and has been updated with new information.